KUALA LUMPUR: The Umno Welfare Bureau humanitarian aid mission to Gaza is to leave in two batches, the first on Wednesday and the second on Aug 12.
Bureau chairman Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim, said today the first batch of six people would conduct an analysis to ascertain that the trip to Gaza would be safe and smooth.
The second batch would depend on the analysis of the first batch, he told reporters after closing a two-day course and training on managing safety risk and contingency here.
A total of 65 people, comprising doctors, volunteers and journalists, will participate in the mission to, among others, deliver 40 tonnes of medicines and food to the Palestinians.
Abdul Azeez said the members of the mission could be divided into two groups, with one entering Gaza and the other stationed in Egypt.
"This is to ensure smooth communication between the group in Gaza and Malaysia through the group stationed in Egypt," he said.
Meanwhile, Palestine Ambassador to Malaysia Dr Anwar al-Agha said the situation in Gaza was still tense.
Nevertheless, he believed that the members of the aid mission would have prepared themselves well and gave the assurance that they would be well received by the Palestinians.
Dr Anwar, who hails from Khan Younis, Palestine, will join the mission and help in terms of coordination in Gaza. - Bernama